Killings of drug suspects rise to 525 in the Philippines

Filipino student activists shout slogans as they call for justice for victims of extrajudicial killings during a rally at the University of the Philippines in suburban Quezon city, north of Manila, Philippines, Thursday Aug. 11, 2016. The group protested the hundreds of mostly poor victims of the extrajudicial killings around the country in the wake of the "War on Drugs" campaign by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
(The Associated Press)

Filipino student activists holding candles shout slogans to call for justice for victims of extrajudicial killings during a rally at the University of the Philippines in suburban Quezon city, north of Manila, Philippines, Thursday Aug. 11, 2016. The group protested the hundreds of mostly poor victims of the extrajudicial killings around the country in the wake of the "War on Drugs" campaign by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
(The Associated Press)

Filipino student activists hold slogans in the rain as they call for and end to extrajudicial killings during a rally at the University of the Philippines in suburban Quezon city, north of Manila, Philippines, Thursday Aug. 11, 2016. The group protested the hundreds of mostly poor victims of the extrajudicial killings around the country in the wake of the "War on Drugs" campaign by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
(The Associated Press)

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine police say the number of suspected drug dealers killed during President Rodrigo Duterte's crackdown has risen to more than 500 in just over a month, sparking protests and plans for a Senate investigation.

The national police's Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management said in a report Thursday that 525 drug suspects have been killed in clashes with police and more than 7,000 have been arrested. It said more than half a million others have surrendered to authorities.

Left-wing activists protested against the killings and Senate Justice Committee chairwoman Sen. Leila de Lima said it will start an investigation into the killings on Aug. 22.

Duterte has promised to end the illegal drug menace and other crimes in three to six months.